Efficient Optimization with Related Discrete Variables-- Application to the Design of Steel-Framed Buildings

研究的目的是双重的。 首先，算法将 开发用于解决非线性优化问题，其中一些 变量可以采用离散值的某些组合。 这些算法必须在最小化 需要分析来解决问题。 其次，这些算法将 通过将它们实现为通用计算机程序来进行测试 用于选择矩形钢框架建筑的梁和柱。 具有相关离散变量的最优化问题的求解方法 变量包括：（1）执行预处理算法， 生成约束，该约束包含离散 （2）执行标准非线性规划软件， 连续优化;（3）执行后处理算法 为了在连续的邻域内找到离散的最优解， 最佳

The objective of the research is two-fold. First, algorithms will be developed for solving nonlinear optimization problems in which some of the variables may assume certain combinations of discrete values. These algorithms must be efficient in terms of minimizing the amount of analysis required to solve the problem. Second, these algorithms will be tested by implementing them into a general-purpose computer program for selecting beams and columns for rectangular steel-framed buildings. The approach for solving optimization problems with related discrete variables consists of: (1) executing a pre-processing algorithm which generates constraints enclosing the available combinations of discrete values, (2) executing standard nonlinear programming software to obtain the continuous optimun, and (3) executing a post-processing algorithm to find the discrete optimum within a neighborhood of the continuous optimum.